Spurs notebook: Aldridge’s pinky no lingering concern

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 07: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after hurting his right hand against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter of an NBA Basketball game at ORACLE Arena on April 7, 2016 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) less

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 07: LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after hurting his right hand against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter of an NBA Basketball game at ORACLE ... more

Photo: Thearon W. Henderson, Ap

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LaMarcus Aldridge posts on Tobias Harris as the Spurs host the Pistons at the AT&T Center on March 2, 2016.

LaMarcus Aldridge posts on Tobias Harris as the Spurs host the Pistons at the AT&T Center on March 2, 2016.

Photo: TOM REEL, STAFF / SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, right, dribbles the ball behind his back as he gets around Denver Nuggets guard Devin Harris during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) less

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, right, dribbles the ball behind his back as he gets around Denver Nuggets guard Devin Harris during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018, in ... more

Photo: David Zalubowski, Associated Press

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San Antonio Spurs center Joffrey Lauvergne, left, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) less

San Antonio Spurs center Joffrey Lauvergne, left, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018, in Denver. (AP ... more

DENVER — Spurs forward LaMarcus Aldridge walked into the Pepsi Center on Friday, his right pinky still taped tight to his ring finger.

Having already been ruled out for Friday night’s game against Denver, along with five other Spurs, Aldridge wouldn’t have to test his injured hand beyond the ability to operate his MP3 player in the pregame locker room.

In what counts as good news so near the playoffs, the five-time All-Star did not require an X-ray on the little finger dislocated in a loss at Golden State the night before.

“He just pulled it out of joint and they couldn’t get it back in,” coach Gregg Popovich said Friday. “But they finally got it back in. He’s fine.”

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Aldridge was injured with 3:18 left in the first quarter Thursday, when the Warriors’ Andrew Bogut blocked his layup attempt. He came to the sideline at the ensuing timeout with the little finger on his shooting hand pointing sideways.

Aldridge eventually returned to the game with the fingers taped together, and finished 5 of 16 for 11 points.

“Every time I shot, it just didn’t feel natural,” Aldridge said. “I just had to play through it.”

With a week to go before the start of the postseason, the Spurs remain confident Aldridge can regain the touch that has seen him average 20.2 points since the All-Star break.

“We were just hoping it wasn’t real severe and he could keep going,” forward Kawhi Leonard said. “We just wanted to make sure he’s not out for the playoff run we’re trying to make.”

‘Meaningless’ goal: After resting nearly half the roster in Denver, Popovich said he still plans to play his regular rotation in Sunday’s rematch with Golden State at the AT&T Center.

One factor not involved in that decision is the Spurs’ pursuit of a perfect home mark, a chase Popovich calls “absolutely meaningless.”

The Spurs, 39-0 at home this season, are seeking to become the first team in league history to go unbeaten on their own floor.

“What does it get you if you’re undefeated? Does it win you anything?” Popovich said. “That’s why it’s meaningless. Maybe somebody will say, ‘Hey that was cool. But that’s about it.’”

Either/or: Asked to handicap a potential Western Conference finals between the Spurs and Warriors, Denver coach Michael Malone did the smart thing and demurred.

“Golden State is the defending champion and had a great game (Thursday) night, but there’s something about the Spurs,” Malone said. “That’s the matchup everybody wanted to see last year. The only team to beat Golden State twice last year was San Antonio. So I’m going to plead the fifth right now and see how the season pans out.”

Diaw in doubt: Boris Diaw (groin soreness) was the only member of the Spurs’ inactive list Friday to have a listed injury.

Diaw did not travel with the Spurs’ on the three-game trip to Utah, Golden State and Denver. Popovich said it is too soon to know if Diaw will be available for Sunday’s rematch with the Warriors.